MDX is very similar to SQL (Structured Query Language) syntax, but not an addition to the SQL language; some functionality provided by the MDX can be supplied by SQL but not with the efficiency of MDX.

Like SQL queries, MDX query also needs a data request, the starting point, and the filter. These keywords, along with some other keywords, provide tools needed to extract the specific portion of data available from the cube for its analysis. MDX also uses some robust functions for manipulating the retrieved data and the ability of extending the MDX with some user defined functions.

MDX Tutorial provides the DDL (data definition language) syntax needed in managing the data structures. There are some MDX commands used in creating, deleting the cubes, measures, the dimensions and the subordinate objects. The function of Multi-dimensional Expression is to facilitate data access from the multiple dimensions easily and with more intuitive. Most of the languages which are used for the data definition & manipulation are designed for the retrieval of data in 2 dimensions – column dimension & row dimension. Each table of the database represents a two dimensional data. A single element of data, called field is present at intersection rows and columns.

The Select statement is used in viewing specific columns in the SQL queries and a “Where” clause limits the retrieval of rows. In contrary, a Multi-dimensional data can include structures which have more than 2 dimensions. The structures are called cubes, which have many dimensions. Every dimension is then broken in different levels, which are broken further into members. Querying of a simple data from the multi-dimensional data source could be complex job. In understanding of the MDX syntax it is important to understand the concept of dimensions, cubes, members, levels and the measures.

OLAP application supports the MDX functions like a full language execution for the creation and the querying of cube data. The querying ability of MDX functions are the main focus of MDX tutorial.

The type of data analysis which can easily be done by MDX is enough to justify its effort in getting the data transformed in OLAP cubes. MDX performs sophisticated queries and building good skills of MDX will be able to enable one in writing elegant queries that in order to get the query result sets quickly.

Carlos Quijada is an IT professional associated with the field since the last 20 years. His core area of specialization is programming. Beside working with one of the leading IT services, he writes about technology and its benefits, MDX Tutorial.